Image recording apparatus

ABSTRACT

In an image recording apparatus according to this invention, an image recording media which has an image data recording area and an image data management area for managing the recording state of image data in the image data recording area and cannot be overwritten is applied, and an image data unerased area of the recording media is detected by an unerased area detection circuit when a recording mode is set by a recording mode setting REC switch, so that the image data in the detected unerased area is substantially erased by a CPU. In this state, the CPU waits for the start of an image recording operation by operating a recording trigger switch. According to this apparatus, a high-speed recording operation can be performed without missing a chance of recording even if a recording media which cannot be overwritten is applied as an image information recording media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and, moreparticularly, to an image recording apparatus in which a recording mediawhich cannot be overwritten is applied.

2. Related Art Statement

A conventional image recording apparatus in which a magnetic recordingmedia such as a floppy disk is applied as a recording media for imageinformation is known. In such an image recording apparatus, imageinformation is recorded as an analog signal in each track area onconcentric circles formed on the recording media. When an erasingoperation is to be performed, an erasing operation is magneticallyperformed to a corresponding track area to erase the image informationin the track area.

In recent years, as an image recording apparatus called a digitalelectronic still camera, an image recording apparatus in which digitaldata based on image information is recorded on a semiconductor memorysuch as an S-RAM or the like serving as a recording media has beenpopularized. In an image recording apparatus such as a digitalelectronic still camera, image information originally consists ofdigital data. For this reason, the image recording apparatus has beennot only used as a recording apparatus for image information, but alsohas occupied a very important and superior position as a tool forpicking up an image in an image system environment using personalcomputers or the like.

Therefore, in such an image recording apparatus, as an image datamanagement format in the recording media, a format following a DOST FATfile system which is extremely popularly used in the above informationsystem environment is advantageously used.

The logical structure of an image data recording media based on a DOSsystem, and the outline of the management of image data recording mediawill be described below. FIG. 19 shows the logical structure of therecording media. The media serving as a recording media is roughlyconstituted by the four following areas:

-   -   (1) an area 31 in which a parameter representing a logical        structure is described.    -   (2) a first management area 32a in which a map representing the        position of a file in a data area is recorded (number of sectors        in this area is (sector/FAT)×2)).    -   (3) a second management area 32b, having a fixed size, in which        the name and file size of a registered file (number of sectors        in this area is (total number of root directory entries)+(number        of bytes/sector+32)).    -   (4) an area 33 which is used as a recording area of the main        body of data of a registered file and/or a sub management area        where sub-directory information is recorded (number of sectors        in this area is (total number of sectors in the media—(number of        sectors of a root directory+number of sectors per FAT×number of        FATs+number of reserved sectors)).

In a DOS FAT (FILE ALLOCATION TABLE) file system, of the above areas,the area 31 is called a boot sector; the first management area 32a, anFAT; the second management area 32b, a root directory (data managementarea); and the area 33, a data recording area.

In the root directory of the area 32b, since the number of entries whichis predetermined for each media is determined, when only a data file isregistered, only files corresponding to the number of entries areregistered. For this reason, not only a file but also a new directory(sub-directory) can be registered in the directory. In any case, themain body of a file or a directory to be registered is recorded in thedata recording area 33.

A recording position of the data area, registration to a media, anddeletion are managed by the directory and the FAT 32a. When a file ordirectory is registered in the root directory 32b, a file name, adirectory name, auxiliary information such as a file size and a date,and the entry number of the FAT 32a are recorded in the entry. The datarecording area 33 is divided into logical recording units called, e.g.,clusters 34.

Each entry of the FAT 32a is one-to-one-related to each cluster of thedata recording area. In the entry of the FAT 32a, the number of an entryto be traced next and a code representing the final entry (no entry tobe traced next) or an unused entry are recorded. Therefore, a specificcluster, in the data recording area 33, in which data or a directory isrecorded can be recognized in the following manner. That is, the entryof the first FAT described in a directory entry is accessed, and entrynumbers written in the entry are sequentially traced.

The above is a mechanism of registering and reproducing a file or adirectory. In a sub-directory, the entry area of a directory is onlyplaced in the data recording area 33. The management of files anddirectories registered in the sub-directory is the same as that in aroot directory.

An erasing operation performed by an erasing mode in a conventionalimage recording apparatus is a so-called pseudo erasing operation, andmeans a process in which the start of a file name recorded in an entryof the area 32b in FIG. 19 is set to 0, the area of the FAT 32a in whicha cluster number on which the data of the file is placed is described isset to FFh (h indicates hexadecimal notation). Therefore, in aconventional image recording apparatus, the data in a file which iserased is still left in the data recording area 33.

In an image recording apparatus such as a conventional digitalelectronic still camera described above, when image data is to beerased, a predetermined process such as an erasing process is performedto an image data management area such as a known directory area in a DOSFAT file system, so that image data in the image data recording and ispseudo-erased. When the recording media is constituted by an S-RAM, evenif image data is temporarily left in the image data recording area,over-writing can be performed. For this reason, a recording operationfor subsequent image data can be performed without any inconvenience.

In recent years, a recording media using a flash memory which is asemiconductor memory and cannot be overwritten such thatrecording/erasing can be repeated without a backup power supply as usedin an S-RAM begins to be used as an image recording apparatus of thistype.

However, when the recording medium which is constituted by a flashmemory or the like and cannot be overwritten is applied to the imagerecording apparatus for the conventional digital electronic still cameradescribed above, the following problem is also posed.

More specifically, even if a predetermined process is performed to animage data management area in the same manner as described above as in acase wherein a media using an S-RAM is applied to erase image data in arecording media in the image recording apparatus of this type, althougha pseudo erasing operation for the image data can be performed,subsequent image data cannot be recorded in the image data recordingarea because the media cannot be overwritten. Therefore, the necessityof a substantially erasing operation for image data which is performedindependently of a pseudo-erasing operation further rises.

As a result, assume that a recording mode is set, and that a rarerecording chance, i.e., a chance of pressing a shutter release comes. Inthis case, when image data is not substantially erased, a time-lag isrequired to perform the substantially erasing operation. For thisreason, the image is missed, and desired image information cannot berecorded on the recording medium.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of the abovecircumstances, and has as its object to provide an image recordingapparatus which can perform high-speed recording without missing achance of recording when a recording media which cannot be overwrittenis employed as a recording media for image information.

An image recording apparatus according to the present invention in whichan image recording media which logically has an image data recordingarea and an image data management area for managing a recording state ofimage data in the image data recording area and cannot be overwritten isapplied, and including image data pseudo-erasing means for executing apredetermined process to the image data management area to erase theimage data on the image recording media, so that the image data on theimage data recording area is pseudo-erased, comprises recording modesetting means for setting a recording mode for recording image data onthe image recording media, unerased area detection means for performingan erasing operation by the image data pseudo-erasing means to detect animage data unerased area left in the image data recording area in theimage recording media, image data erasing means for substantiallyerasing image data in the unerased area detected by the unerased areadetection means, and control means for performing control such that theunerased area detection means detects an image data unerased area inresponse to a recording mode setting operation by the recording modesetting means, and the image data erasing means starts a substantiallyerasing operation for image data in the detected unerased area.

In the image recording apparatus, the unerased area detection meansdetects an image data unerased area in response to a recording modesetting operation by the recording mode setting means, and asubstantially erasing operation for image data in the detected unerasedarea is started by the image data erasing means. According to the imagerecording apparatus, even if a media which cannot be overwritten isused, a period of time from when a recording trigger switch is pressedto when recording is completed is shortened, and a change of pressing ashutter release is rarely missed.

Other characteristic features and advantages of the present inventionwill be sufficiently apparent with reference to the followingdescription.

BRIEF OF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image recording apparatus accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a processing operation in the image recordingapparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an erased area detection processing operationin the image recording apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a processing operation in an image recordingapparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a processing operation in an image recordingapparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a processing operation in a modification ofthe image recording apparatuses according to the second and thirdembodiments.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a recording preparation completion displayscreen of an LCD in the image recording apparatus according to the thirdembodiment and in the apparatus of the modification of the thirdembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a main block diagram showing an image recording apparatusaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a processing operation of the image recordingapparatus in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a main block diagram showing an image recording apparatusaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the image recording apparatus alonga line 11-11′ in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12(A) is a side view showing a shutter closing state of a mediarecording unit in the image recording apparatus in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12(B) is a view showing a shutter closing state of the mediarecording unit in the image recording apparatus in FIG. 10, and is asectional view showing the image recording apparatus along a line12(B)-(B)′ in FIG. 12(A).

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a processing operation of an image recordingapparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a main block diagram showing the image is recording apparatusin FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a processing operation of an image recordingapparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a main block diagram showing a modification of the imagerecording apparatus according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a main block diagram showing another modification of theimage recording apparatus according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of a processing operation of an image recordingapparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a view showing the memory logical structure of a recordingmedia applied to a conventional image recording/reproducing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a main block diagramshowing an image recording apparatus according to the first embodimentof the present invention. Image data management in the image recordingapparatus according to this embodiment is performed in accordance withthe above DOS FAT file system shown in FIG. 19.

As shown in the block diagram in FIG. 1, this image recording apparatuscomprises a video signal input circuit 1 for mainly receiving a videosignal, a video signal output circuit 2 for outputting a video signal toa monitor or the like, a video signal processing circuit 3 forperforming an input/output process for a video signal, a datarecording/reading circuit 4 for recording/reading data on/from an imagerecording media 13, an unerased area detection circuit 6 serving as anunerased area detection means, a frame memory 7 for storing image data,switches 9a to 9f for mode setting or a trigger, a switch input circuit8 for inputting the state of the switches, an LCD 10 for displaying amode, a frame number, or the like, a modem 12 for receiving informationfrom a telephone line, a serial communication interface (I/F) 11 for amodem, an image recording media 13, built in the apparatus or detachablefrom the apparatus, for recording image data, a CPU 5 serving as acontrol means for controlling the above control elements, and the like.

The switch group 9 is constituted by a recording mode switch (REC SW) 9afor setting a recording mode, a recording trigger switch (trigger SW)9b, a reproduction mode switch (PLAY SW) 9c for setting a reproductionmode, an erase mode switch (erase mode SW) 9d for setting an erase modeand designating a pseudo erasing operation for image data or asubstantially erasing operation (to be described later), and an othermode setting switch (other mode SW) 9e.

The video signal processing circuit 3 inputs or outputs a video signalthrough the video signal input circuit 1 or the video signal outputcircuit 2, and performs A/D conversion, D/A conversion, compression, acommanding process, and the like of the video signal on the basis of avideo processing control signal from the CPU 5.

The data recording/reading circuit 4 records a video signal on the imagerecording media 13 or reads a video signal from the image recordingmedia 13 on the basis of a data recording/reproduction signal from theCPU 5. At this time, the CPU 5 accesses the image recording media 13through a CPU bus and the data recording/reading circuit 4.

The unerased area detection circuit 6 receives an unerased areadetection instruction signal from the CPU 5 and causes the video signaloutput circuit 2 to control the data recording/reading circuit 4,thereby searching for an unerased area in the image recording media 13.The unerased area detection circuit 6 notifies the sector or clusternumber of the area to the CPU 5 through the CPU bus.

In addition to the control means for the control elements, an image datapseudo-erasing means, an image data erasing means, an image receptionmode setting means, a compression mode setting means, a media typedetermination means, a fixed storage means, a processing program addingmeans, and the like are incorporated in the CPU 5.

The image recording media 13, which is a recording media which cannot beoverwritten, may be incorporated in the image recording apparatus, andmay be a detachable recording media. When the image recording media 13is a detachable recording media, an effect obtained by this apparatus isenlarged (to be described later). As the type of the image recordingmedia 13, a flash memory is used in this embodiment. However, the imagerecording media 13 may be a recording media such as a photomagnetic diskwhich cannot be overwritten. In the recording media, a state whereinimage data is pseudo-erased is frequently set. As a result, the effectof the present invention is enlarged.

The pseudo-erasing operation for the image data is performed in thefollowing manner. That is, as described in FIG. 19, the start of a filename recorded in an entry of the area 32b serving as the secondmanagement area is set to 0, and the area of the FAT 32a serving as thesecond management area where a cluster number on which the data of theimage file is placed is described is set to FFh, thereby erasing theimage data. Therefore, the main body of the data of the erased imagefile is still left in the data recording area 33.

The flow of a signal in this image recording apparatus will be describedbelow. A video signal is input to the video signal input circuit 1 in arecording mode, A/D-converted by the video signal processing circuit 3,and recorded on the frame memory 7. When the recording trigger SW 9b ispressed, data read from the frame memory 7 is compressed by the videosignal processing circuit 3. The compressed data is output to the datarecording/reading circuit 4 to be recorded on the image recording media13.

In a reproduction mode, image data is read from the recording media 13by the data recording/reading circuit 4 and output to the video signalprocessing circuit 3. The image data is subjected to an extendingprocess in the video signal processing circuit 3, recorded on the framememory 7, and then D/A-converted to be output to an external monitor orthe like through the video signal output circuit 2.

The unerased area detection circuit 6 described above can be programmed,and the program can be stored in a ROM 5a in the CPU 5. In this imagerecording apparatus, image transmission can be performed by the serialcommunication interface 11 and the modem 12 through a telephone line.

An operation mode of the image recording apparatus will be describedbelow with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 2. When a power supply isturned on, the recording apparatus starts steps S01, S02, and S03 todetect a pressed switch of the switches 9a to 9f.

When the PLAY SW 9c is pressed, the flow shifts to step S05. In thiscase, although the recording apparatus may have a reproduced frame as aninitial value, the reproduced frame is designated, and the designatedframe is reproduced in step S06. Thereafter, it is checked in step S07whether a mode change is present. If NO in step S07, the flow returns tostep S05, steps S05 to S07 are executed until the mode change occurs.When the mode change occurs, the flow returns to step S01 to detect apressed switch of the switches 9a to 9f.

If it is detected that the REC SW 9a is pressed, the flow shifts to stepS08. In this case, an unerased area is detected by the unerased areadetection circuit 6. The details of the processing in step S08 will bedescribed later in the flow chart in FIG. 3.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S09 to substantially erase theunerased area. The flow shifts to step S10 to wait until the recordingtrigger SW 9b is pressed. When the recording trigger SW 9b is notpressed, the flow shifts to step S12. If a mode change occurs, the flowshifts to step S01. However, if no mode change occurs, the flow returnsto step S10 to execute steps S10 to S12 until a mode change occurs.

When the recording trigger SW 9b is pressed, the flow shifts to step S11to perform a recording process. In addition, it is determined in stepS12 whether a mode change is present.

It is determined in step S03 whether the other mode SW 9e is pressed. IfYES in step S03, the flow shifts to step S04 to execute another mode.

In this case, an unerased area detection processing operation by theunerased area detection circuit 6 in step S08 will be described belowwith reference to the flow chart in FIG. 3. The flow chart in FIG. 3shows a processing operation of the unerased area detection circuit 6which has received an erased area detection instruction signal.Operation memory areas whose number is equal to the maximum number ofclusters of the recording media 13 are cleared in step S15. Morespecifically, as shown in Table 1, operation areas at addresses 0 to Nare assured, and all the values of the areas are set to 0h.

TABLE 1 Address 0 1 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N Value (h) 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 0

The flow shifts to step S16 to detect a used cluster number on the basisof the directory of the media and the FAT, and FFh is written as data inan operation memory at the address represented by the cluster number.This will be described below with reference to Table 2. Since the areasof cluster numbers 1 and 2 are used as files, data at addresses 1 and 2in the operation memory area are defined as FFh.

TABLE 2 Address 0 1 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N Value (h) 0 FF FF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

When data are written as described above, a portion corresponding to theused cluster number is marked.

Furthermore, in step S16, an operation of detecting a used clusternumber on the basis of the directory and FAT is executed in all of theclusters.

Upon completion of the above processes, in step S17, a cluster at anaddress number where data is 0h in an operation RAM is read from theimage recording media 13. If the data is FFh, 55h is written as data foran operation memory (see Table 3).

For example, since data is 0h at address 0 of the operation memory, dataat the cluster address is read from the recording media 13. If the datais FFh, the area is substantially erased. For this reason, 55h iswritten at an address of the operation memory to be marked. Even ifmarking is performed such that FFh is written as described above, thesame operation as described above can be performed.

TABLE 3 Address 0 1 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N Value (h) 55 FF FF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

In step S18, an address where a value is 0h in the operation memory isoutput to the CPU 5. In Table 3, when the operation memory is searchedafter all the clusters are checked, it is determined that an addresswhere the value is 0 is N address. Therefore, since the cluster Naddress of the recording media 13 is a pseudo-erased cluster, theaddress N is output to the CPU 5.

The above processing contents will be described below using Tables 1 to3 again. A portion where a value is finally FFh is a cluster which hasbeen used as a file. A portion where a value is 55h is an area which hasbeen substantially erased. Although an area where data is 0h ispseudo-erased, data is still left in a corresponding data area in therecording media 13.

Thereafter, in the image recording apparatus, an area where data ispseudo-erased but left is substantially erased. When image data isactually recorded, data can be recorded in an area (area on a recordingmedia subjected to a substantially erasing operation) corresponding toan address where data is 0h on the operation memory and an area (areawhich is originally substantially erased) corresponding to an addresswhere data is 55h on the operation memory.

According to the image recording apparatus of the first embodimentdescribed above, a recording media which cannot be overwritten and hasan area in which image data is pseudo-erased is used, a substantiallyerasing operation is performed during recording mode setting beforeimage data is recorded. For this reason, a period of time from when therecording trigger SW 9b is pressed to when recording of the image dataon the recording media 13 is completed is shortened, and a chance ofpressing a release shutter is rarely missed.

An image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention will be described below. In transmission of image datathrough a telephone line, when the above substantially erasing operationof a recording media is performed during transmission, transmission timeis prolonged, and a telephone fee becomes large. The image recordingapparatus of this embodiment solves the above problem.

This image recording apparatus has almost the same arrangement as thatshown in FIG. 1. However, a process performed after a reception mode isset by an image reception mode SW 9f is different from that of theapparatus of the first embodiment. Therefore, constituent controlelements will be described by using the same reference numerals andsymbols as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an operation mode process in the imagerecording apparatus. After a power supply is turned on (power ON), apressed mode SW in the routines in steps S21, S22, and S23 is detected.For example, when a PLAY SW 9c is pressed, the flow shifts from step S21to step S25, and the same processes as in steps S05 and the subsequentsteps in FIG. 2 are executed.

When an other mode SW 9e is pressed, the flow advances to respectivelystep S24 to execute processes related to the mode selected. When themode change occurs, the flow returns to step S21 to perform an operationfor detecting a mode.

When it is detected in step S22 that the image reception mode SW 9f ispressed, the flow shifts to step S28 to cause an unerased area detectioncircuit 6 described in FIGS. 2 and 3 to perform an operation ofdetecting an unerased area.

After the unerased area is substantially erased in step S29, it isdetermined in step S30 whether a telephone incoming call is present. IfYES in step in step S30, an image reception process is executed in stepS31.

Furthermore, it is determined in step S32 whether a mode change ispresent. If NO in step S32, a process of waiting for a telephoneincoming is performed. If YES in step S32, the flow returns to step S21to execute a newly set mode process.

In the operation in FIG. 4, an unerased area is substantially erased instep S29. This process corresponds to step S09 in FIG. 2. Thesubstantially erasing operation actually means the following processdepending on a recording media. In particular, when a card media using aflash memory as a media is used, FFh is written at an address in acorresponding area.

The image recording apparatus of this embodiment is characterized inthat a card media constituted by a flash memory is detachably arranged.Especially, when a card which is detachably arranged is used, the effectof the apparatus is enlarged.

For example, when a card media which is erased by an image recordingapparatus except for the above apparatus is used as the above recordingmedia, in particular, when a card media in which erasing is performed byan external apparatus such as a personal computer, the card medium is acard in which the number of unerased areas, i.e., areas subjected to apseudo-erasing operation, becomes very large. When a card media in whichimage data is erased by this apparatus itself is used, a substantiallyerasing operation may be completely performed in the erasing mode.However, since the pseudo-erasing process is mainly performed in anotherpersonal computer or the like as described above, the number of areaswhich are pseudo-erased becomes very large in the card media asdescribed above.

Therefore, when a card-like media constituted by a flash memory which isdetachably arranged is used, the above very large number ofpseudo-erased areas are substantially erased in the apparatus of thisembodiment before a telephone line is connected. For this reason, aperiod of time in which the telephone line is used is shortened, and theeffect becomes large.

An image recording apparatus according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention will be described below. This image recordingapparatus is characterized in that a recording preparation completiondisplay can be performed on an LCD 10 (see FIG. 1) serving as arecording preparation completion display means in the image recordingapparatus according to the first or second embodiment. The basicarrangement of the image recording apparatus of the third embodiment isthe same as that in FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals as in thefirst and second embodiments denote the same parts in the thirdembodiment.

A processing operation in this image recording apparatus will bedescribed below with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 5. Theprocessing operation in FIG. 5 is obtained by the processes in step S02and steps S08 to S12 in the flow chart in FIG. 2 are changed into stepS108 and steps S109 to S115. The different steps will be describedbelow.

If it is determined in step S01 that a PLAY SW 9c is in an OFF state,the state of a REC SW 9a is checked in step S108. If it is determinedthat the REC SW 9a is pressed, the flow shifts to step S109 to cause anunerased area detection circuit 6 to detect an unerased area.Subsequently, in step S110, the unerased area is substantially erased.

A recording preparation completion display mark 10a (see FIG. 7) isdisplayed on the LCD 10 in step S111. The recording preparationcompletion display mark 10a is an OK mark displayed on the displayscreen of the LCD 10 in FIG. 7, and the recording preparation completiondisplay mark 10a is flickered.

It is determined in step S112 whether a recording trigger SW 9b ispressed. If YES in step S112, a recording process is executed in stepS113. It is detected in step S114 whether a mode change occurs. If YESin step S114, the display of the recording preparation completiondisplay mark 10a is turned off in step S115. The subsequent processesare the same as those in FIG. 2.

According to the image recording apparatus of this embodiment, since auser can decide a timing at which recording can be performed inaccordance with the recording preparation completion display, a chanceof pressing a release shutter is not missed. In addition, the presenceof a substantially unerased area is conveniently displayed.

As a modification of the image recording apparatus according to thesecond and third embodiments, the processing operation of an imagerecording apparatus which comprises an image reception mode and iscapable of performing a recording preparation completion display will bedescribed below with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 6. Theprocessing operation in FIG. 6 is obtained by changing step S22 andsteps S28 to S32 in the flow chart of FIG. 4 into step S117 and stepsS118 to S124 in FIG. 6. The different steps will be described below.

As in the apparatus of the third embodiment, if it is determined in stepS117 whether an image reception mode SW 9f serving as a mode SW ispressed, an unerased area detection circuit 6 detects an unerased areain step S118. In step S119, the unerased area is substantially erased.In step S120, as shown in FIG. 7, a recording preparation completiondisplay mark 10a is displayed on an LCD 10 serving as a recordingpreparation completion display means.

Subsequently, it is determined in step S121 whether a telephone call ismade, i.e., an incoming call is present. If YES in step S121, an imagereception process is performed in step S122. Upon completion of theimage reception process, it is determined in step S123 whether a modechange occurs. If YES in step S123, the recording preparation completiondisplay is turned off in step S124. Thereafter, the same subsequentoperation as that in the flow chart of FIG. 4 is performed.

According to the image recording apparatus of this modification, sincean excessive period of time during transmission is shortened, a largetelephone fee is avoided. In addition, the presence of a substantiallyunerased area is conveniently displayed.

An image recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention will be described below. In the conventional imagerecording apparatus or each of the image recording apparatuses describedabove, when a recording media is detachable, if the recording media iserroneously ejected during an erasing or recording operation, an area inwhich data is being written or erased at this time is disabledeternally. The image recording apparatus according to this embodimentcan prevent, especially, such an inconvenient state from occurring. Thebasic arrangement of the image recording apparatus of this modificationis the same as that in FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals as in thefirst embodiment denote the same parts in the modification.

FIG. 8 is a main block diagram of the image recording apparatus of thisembodiment. It is assumed that the constituent elements shown in FIG. 8are the same as those in the block diagram in FIG. 1. In this imagerecording apparatus, the CPU 5 records or erases image data on/from therecording media 13 through a data recording/reading circuit 4. Gateelements 21 and 22 in which a recording signal or an erase signalbecomes active when a media ejection inhibit signal output from a CPU 5is active are arranged before the recording media 13. More specifically,the image recording apparatus of this embodiment is arranged such thatthe CPU 5 can cause the gates 21 and 22 to write or erase data on/fromthe recording media 13 while a media ejection inhibit display mark 10bis displayed on the LCD 10 serving as a media removal inhibit displaymeans by the media ejection inhibit signal.

An operation in this image recording apparatus will be described belowwith reference to the flow chart in FIG. 9. When a power supply isturned-on to set a power ON state, a pressed mode SW is detected insteps S41, S42, S43, and S44. For example, if a PLAY SW 9c is pressed instep S41, the flow shifts to step S45 to perform a reproduction process.

If it is detected in step S42 that a REC SW 9a serving as a recordingmode switch is pressed, an unerased area is detected by an unerased areadetection circuit 6 in step S48 A media ejection inhibit display isturned on in step S49. That is, the media ejection inhibit display mark10b shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the LCD 10.

In step S50, the unerased area is substantially erased. Upon completionof this process, the media ejection inhibit display is turned off instep S51.

Upon completion of the above processes, the flow waits in the routinefrom step S52 to step S56 until the recording trigger SW 9b is pressedin step S52. When the recording trigger SW 9b is pressed, the mediaejection inhabit display mark 10b is displayed in step S53. A recordingprocess is performed in step S54, and the media ejection inhibit displaymark 10b is turned off in step S55.

As described above, in this image recording apparatus, when the mediaejection inhibit signal is active, and a recording or erasing signal isactive, the first recording/erasing operation for the recording media 13can be performed. When the recording or erasing signal is inactive,i.e., when a writing operation is not performed, a writing for erasingoperation for the recording media 13 is not performed.

Even if the recording or erasing signal becomes active, unless the mediaejection inhibit signal becomes active, the writing or erasing signal isnot transmitted to the recording media 13, i.e., only while the mediaejection inhibit display mark 10b is displayed on the LCD 10, thewriting or erasing signal is transmitted to the recording media 13.

As described above, according to the image recording apparatus of thisembodiment, since the media ejection inhabit display mark 10b isdisplayed while the processes in steps S50 and S54 are performed, a usercan easily understand that the media 13 is inhibited from being removed.The media can be prevented from being broken by erroneous ejection.

An image recording apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention will be described below. In this image recordingapparatus, as in the apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, whenan ejection inhibit signal of a CPU 5 becomes active, a media ejectioninhibit display mark 10b is displayed on an LCD 10. In this embodiment,in this period, a shutter drive section 23 serving as a media removalprevention mechanism shown in the block diagram in FIG. 10 closes amedia receiving port 24a of a media recording unit 24 as shown in FIG.12(A) and FIG. 12(B) which is a sectional view showing the imagerecording apparatus along a line 12(B)-12(B) in FIG. 12(A). Theopening/closing shutter 25 is closed as described above, so that therecording media 13 (memory card) is inhibited from being ejected. FIG.10 shows a state wherein the opening/closing shutter 25 in the mediarecording unit 24 is open, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing theapparatus along a line 11-11′ in FIG. 10.

When a media ejection inhibit signal is active, i.e., while the mediaejection inhibit display mark 10b is displayed on the LCD, theopening/closing shutter is closed. At a timing at which ejection of themedia is inhibited, even if a user tries to eject the media, the mediacannot be ejected. Therefore, the media can be reliably prevented frombeing erroneously ejected.

An image recording apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of thepresent invention will now be described. The image recording apparatusaccording to this embodiment can read a compression mode and perform aprocess of substantially erasing only an expectedly recording area.The-operation of this embodiment will be described below with referenceto the flow chart in FIG. 13. The basic arrangement of this apparatus isthe same as that in FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals as in thefirst embodiment denote the same parts in the apparatus.

When the power supply is turned on, i.e., a power ON state is set, modedetection is performed in steps S61, S62, and S63. When it is detectedin step S61 that a PLAY SW 9c serving as a reproduction switch or whenit is detected in step S63 that an other mode SW 9e is pressed, thereproduction process in step S65 and the subsequent steps or an othermode process in step S64 is respectively performed. These processes arethe same as those shown in FIG. 2.

If it is detected in step S62 that a REC SW 9a serving as a recordingswitch is pressed, a compression mode setting is read in step S68. Thesize of an image to be photographed is predicted in step S69, and anexpectedly recording area can be determined, thereby substantiallyerasing the area. When the substantially expectedly recording area issubstantially erased, an OK mark which is the same as the recordingpreparation completion display mark 10a shown in FIG. 7 is flickered onthe LCD 10 in step S70.

Although compression mode setting is read in step S68, the compressionmode setting is performed in the following manner. That is, a signalfrom the compression mode SW 9g of the mode setting switches shown inthe main block diagram of the image recording apparatus of thisembodiment in FIG. 14 is output to a switch (SW) input circuit 8. Whenthe signal is read by a CPU 5, compression mode setting is performed.

The compression modes will be described below. When a fixed lengthcompression mode of the compression modes is set, the size of an imageto be photographed is determined such that the file size of data of animage to be photographed is set to, e.g., 72 kbytes or 32 kbytes, or 720kbytes in non-compression. When the size is determined, an expectedlyrecording area is determined in step S69, and the area is substantiallyerased. More specifically, in an operation memory used when the unerasedarea described in FIG. 3 is detected, the number of clusters used at anaddress where a value is set to 0h or the number of clusters used at anaddress where a value is set to 55h is determined in step S69, the areas(clusters) are substantially erased.

A recording preparation completion display is turned on in step S70, andthe recording preparation completion display mark 10a shown in FIG. 7 isdisplayed on the LCD 10. When a user watches the display, the user canrecognize that an image can be recorded.

Thereafter, in the routine from step S71 to step S74, the flow waitsuntil a recording trigger SW 9b is pressed or a mode change occurs. Whenthe recording trigger SW 9b is pressed, a recording process is performedin step S72, and the recording preparation completion display is turnedoff in step S73.

Immediately after step S73, even if the recording trigger SW 9b ispressed, a substantially erasing operation of the expectedly recordingarea is not completed in this image recording apparatus. For thisreason, a recording operation cannot be immediately started. After stepS73, the flow returns to step S68 (through steps S61 and S62) to readcompression mode setting, and the expectedly recording area is erased instep S69. Thereafter, a period in which a recording process can beperformed immediately after the recording trigger SW 9b is turned on isset, and the recording preparation completion display is turned on atstep S70.

If it is determined in step S74 that a mode change is present, therecording preparation completion display is turned off in step S75. Whenthe mode change occurs, the recording process cannot be performed in thestep S75 and the subsequent steps. For this reason, the recordingpreparation completion display is turned off in step S75. The flowreturns to step S61 to execute a mode process corresponding to thepressed switch in the subsequent steps.

The main block diagram showing the image recording apparatus in FIG. 14will be described again in detail. This apparatus has a switch group (tobe described later), a switch input circuit 8, and an LCD 10. An OK markserving as the recording preparation completion display mark 10a shownin FIG. 7 can be displayed on the LCD 10. In the switch input circuit 8,a REC SW 9a, a recording trigger SW 9b, a reproduction mode SW 9g, and acompression mode SW 9c are arranged.

A signal from the switch group is received by the switch input circuit8, and the CPU 5 reads a pressed switch state on the basis of an outputfrom the switch input circuit 8.

In the image recording apparatus according to this embodiment,compression mode setting is actually read in step S68 in FIG. 13, and anexpectedly recording area is predicted in step S69. For example, it isassumed that prediction that cluster numbers are recorded in areas 1, 2,N−1, and N is made. When the areas N−1 and N are pseudo-erased but arenot substantially erased, the areas N−1 and N and the cluster area aresubstantially erased. That is, a value FFh is entirely written in the(N−1)th and Nth clusters.

In the recording process in step S72, a recording operation is performedto the areas of the clusters 1, 2, N−1, and N. Therefore, the recordingprocess is not limitedly performed to only a portion where asubstantially erasing operation is performed in step S69. Morespecifically, image data is recorded in the areas which have beensubstantially erased, i.e., the first and second clusters serving ascluster areas corresponding to an address where 55h is written and the(N−1)th and Nth clusters in which the substantially erasing operation isperformed in step S69.

According to the image recording apparatus of this embodiment, even if amedia which cannot be overwritten is used, a period of time from whenthe recording trigger SW 9b is pressed to when a recording operation iscompleted can be shortened, and a period of time required to perform asubstantially erasing operation once can be shortened. For this reason,a chance of pressing a release shutter is rarely missed.

An image recording apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of thepresent invention will be described below. This image recordingapparatus can use many types of recording media. In the image recordingapparatus, a recording process can be changed depending on the type of amemory card serving as a recording media. The same reference numerals asin the block diagram of FIG. 1 denote the same constituent parts in thisapparatus.

A processing operation of this embodiment will be described below withreference to the flow chart in FIG. 15. When a power supply is turnedon, the type of a media is determined in step S80. A pressed SW in theroutine in steps S81, S82, and S83 is determined. For example, when itis determined in step S81 that the PLAY SW 9c is pressed, the flowshifts to step S85 to perform a reproduction process to each media type.More specifically, a process for a media type determined in step S80 isperformed in step S85.

Similarly, when the REC SW 9a is pressed, a recording process isperformed in step S86 on the basis of the determination result of amedia type in step S80. As in another mode, when the other mode SW 9e ispressed in step S83 and the subsequent steps, an other mode process isexecuted in step S87 depending on a media type determined in step S80.

If a change in media is detected in step S84, for example, the media isremoved from the image recording apparatus. When another recording mediais inserted into the image recording apparatus, the type of therecording media is determined in step S80.

According to the image recording apparatus of this embodiment, varioustypes of-recording media can be used in one apparatus without increasingthe apparatus in size.

As a modification of the image recording apparatus of the seventhembodiment, an apparatus in which a processing method for each of therecording media types can be selected by adding a ROM will be describedbelow. As shown in the main block diagram of the apparatus of thismodification in FIG. 16, a ROM 26 serving as a fixed storage means isarranged around a CPU 5, and additional ROM sockets 27 and 28 in whichan additional ROM can be inserted are arranged as processing programadding means.

The additional ROM sockets 27 and 28 are connected to the CPU 5 by anaddress and a data bus. The CPU 5 can control the inserted ROM 26 inaccordance with a control signal 29. When an additional ROM is insertedinto the ROM sockets 27 and 28, a processing method is read from theadditional ROM in accordance with a control signal 30, so that theprocessing can be executed.

According to the image recording apparatus of this modification, when anadditional ROM is arranged depending on a determination of a user, manytypes of recording media can be used in one apparatus without increasingthe apparatus in size.

As another modification of the image recording apparatus of the seventhembodiment, an apparatus which can select a processing method for eachof the recording media types without adding a ROM will be describedbelow. FIG. 17 is a main block diagram showing the apparatus of thisembodiment. As in the apparatus of the previous modification, the CPU 5and the ROM 26 are arranged, and a flash memory or a memory 32 such asan EEPROM is arranged as another memory. In addition, a memory cardsocket 33 in which a card-like detachable recording media such as anSRAM card, a ROM card, or a modem card can be inserted is arranged.

The ROM 26, the memory 32, and the memory card socket 33 are connectedto each other with an address data bus. The ROM 26, the memory 32, andthe recording media inserted in the memory card socket 33 are controlledby control signals 29, 30, and 31.

When a process for each card type is copied from a recording media suchas an SRAM card, a ROM card, or a modem card inserted in the memory cardsocket 33 to the memory 32, the process for each card type can beadditionally registered.

An image recording apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of thepresent invention will be described below. This apparatus is anapparatus corresponding to, especially, two types of recording media oneof which can be overwritten and the other of which cannot beoverwritten. FIG. 18 is a flow chart of this operation.

If it is detected in step S91 that a PLAY SW 9c is pressed, areproduction process is performed as in the flow chart of FIG. 2. If itis detected in step S92 that the REC SW 9a is pressed, it is determinedin step S98 whether the recording media can be overwritten. If YES instep S98, a state wherein recording trigger reception can be performedis immediately set in step S101.

However, if NO in step S98, compression mode setting is read in stepS99, and an expectedly recording area is substantially erased in stepS100. More specifically, the process of determining whether therecording media can be overwritten in step S98 is a branch point. Whenthe recording media can be overwritten, a recording trigger receivablestate can be immediately set. In contrast to this, when the media cannotbe overwritten, a recording trigger receivable state cannot be set untilan expectedly recording area is substantially erased.

Upon completion of the recording process in step S102, the flow returnsto step S98 (through steps S91 and S92) to perform the process ofdetermining whether the media can be overwritten. If a mode changeoccurs in step S103, an other mode process is executed as in FIG. 2. Thesame operation as in FIG. 2 is performed except for the above recordingoperation.

According to the image recording apparatus of this embodiment, either arecording media such as an SRAM memory card which can be overwritten ora recording media such as an ATA flash card which cannot be overwrittencan be used as a recording media in one apparatus without increasing theapparatus in size.

1. An image recording apparatus in which an image recording media whichlogically has an image data recording area and an image data managementarea for managing a recording state of image data in said image datarecording area and cannot be overwritten is applied, and comprising:including image data pseudo-erasing means for executing a predeterminedprocess to said image data management area to erase image data on saidimage recording media, so that the image data in said image datarecording area is pseudo-erased, characterized by comprising: recordingmode setting means for setting a recording mode for recording image databy in said image recording media; unerased area data detection means forperforming an erasing operation by said image data pseudo-erasing meansto detect detecting an unerased image data unerased area in said imagedata recording area of said image recording media; image data erasingmeans for substantially erasing image data in said unerased areadetected by said unerased area detection means; and control means forperforming control such that said unerased area detection means detectsan unerased image data unerased area in response to a recording modesetting operation by said recording mode setting means, and said imagedata erasing means starts a substantially erasing operation for imagedata in said detected unerased area; and image data pseudo-erasing meansfor executing a predetermined process to said image data management areato erase image data on said image recording media, so that the imagedata in said image data recording area is pseudo-erased.
 2. An imagerecording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that saidimage recording apparatus further comprises image reception mode settingmeans for setting an image reception mode for receiving image datatransmitted through a predetermined telephone line, and said controlmeans performs control such that said unerased area detection meansdetects an image data unerased area in response to a recording modesetting operation by said recording mode setting means, and said imagedata erasing means starts a substantially erasing operation for imagedata in said detected unerased area.
 3. An image recording apparatusaccording to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said image recordingmedia is a card-like media constituted by a flash memory detachablyarranged in a main body of said apparatus.
 4. An image recordingapparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said imagedata erasing means further comprises recording preparation completiondisplay means for indicating that a substantially erasing operation forimage data in an unerased area detected by said unerased area detectionmeans is completed.
 5. An image recording apparatus according to claim1, characterized in that said image recording media is detachablyarranged in said apparatus, and further comprising media removal inhibitdisplay means for directly displaying that said image recording media isinhibited from being removed from said apparatus during an image datarecording operation or an image data erasing operation by said imagedata erasing means with a picture, character, sign, or the like toinhibit the image recording media from being removed from saidapparatus.
 6. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that said image recording media is detachably arrangedin said apparatus, and further comprising media removal inhibit displaymeans for performing a display to inhibit said image recording mediafrom being removed from said apparatus; and means for allowing arecording operation for image data during only a display by said mediaremoval inhibit display means and an erasing operation for the imagedata by said image data erasing means.
 7. An image recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, characterized in that said image recording mediais detachably arranged in said apparatus, and further comprising a mediaremoval prevention mechanism for preventing said image recording mediafrom being removed from said apparatus during an image data recordingoperation or an image data erasing operation by said image data erasingmeans.
 8. An image recording apparatus in which an image recording mediawhich logically has an image data recording area and an image datamanagement area for managing a recording state of image data in saidimage data recording area and cannot be overwritten is applied, andincluding image data pseudo-erasing means for executing a predeterminedprocess to said image data management area to erase the image data onsaid image recording media, so that the image data in said image datarecording area is pseudo-erased, characterized by comprising: recordingmode setting means for setting a recording mode for recording image dataon said image recording media; compression mode setting means forsetting one compression mode from a plurality of compression modeshaving different compression rates to determine a compression rate ofimage data to be recorded on said image recording media; image dataerasing means for substantially erasing image data in an image dataunerased area in said image data recording area by said image datapseudo-erasing means; and control means for performing control such thatan image data expectedly recording amount based on a correspondingcompression rate and an image data expectedly recording area aredetermined on the basis of a compression mode set by said compressionmode setting means, and said image data erasing means starts asubstantially erasing operation for image data whose amount correspondsto said expectedly recording area determined in said image data unerasedarea.
 9. An image recording apparatus according to claim 8,characterized by further comprising recording preparation completiondisplay means for indicating that said image data erasing meanscompletes a substantially erasing operation of image data whose amountcorresponds to the expectedly recording area determined by said controlmeans.
 10. An image recording apparatus in which many types of imagerecording media having different recording process operations for atleast image data to be recorded are detachably arranged in the recordingapparatus, characterized by comprising: media type determination meansfor determining a type of said image recording media inserted in saidapparatus; fixed storage means for storing a plurality of processingprograms corresponding to processing speeds, erasing methods, and thelike of the types of media which can be inserted into the apparatus;control means for selecting a corresponding processing program in saidfixed storage means responsive to a determination result of said mediatype determination means to execute a predetermined processing operationon the basis of the selected processing program; and processing programadding means being provided for additionally storing a new processingprogram corresponding to an additional media type image recording mediumwhich may be inserted in said fixed storage means.
 11. An imagerecording apparatus in which any one of an image recording media whichlogically includes an image data recording area and an image datamanagement area for managing a recording state of image data in saidimage data recording area and can be overwritten and an image recordingmedia which logically includes image data recording and image datamanagement areas and cannot be overwritten is applied and detachablyarranged in said apparatus, and including image data pseudo-erasingmeans for executing a predetermined process to said image datamanagement area to erase image data in said image recording media sothat the image data in said image data recording area is pseudo-erased,characterized by comprising: recording mode setting means for setting arecording mode for recording image data on said image recording media,unerased area detection means for performing an erasing operation bysaid image data pseudo-erasing means to detect an image data unerasedarea in said image data recording area of said image recording media;image data erasing means for substantially erasing image data in saidimage data unerased area detected by said unerased area detection means;media type determination means for determining a type of image recordingmedia inserted in said apparatus; and control means for performingcontrol such that an erasing operation of said image data erasing meansis inhibited during a recording mode setting by said recording modesetting means when it is determined as a determination result by saidmedia type determination means that said media can be overwritten, saidunerased area detection means detects an image data unerased area inresponse to a recording mode setting operation by said recording modesetting means when it is determined as a determination result by saidmedia type determination means that said media cannot be overwritten,and said image data erasing means starts a substantially erasingoperation for image data in said detected unerased area.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 10 wherein said adding means further comprisessockets each for receiving a read-only-memory containing at least oneadditional processing program.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10 whereinsaid adding means further comprises a socket for detachably receiving amemory device having at least one additional processing program, saidapparatus including means for transferring the processing program insaid memory device to said fixed memory means.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein said control means includes means for selecting one ofthe fixed memory device, and read-only-memories inserted in said socketsaccording to the recording media inserted into the apparatus asidentification by said determination means.
 15. An apparatus forrecording digital image data, comprising: a removable and nonvolatilerecording medium, including both a data management section and asubstantial data recording section in which substantial data is stored;a control unit which controls a recording sequence of a digital imagedata in the recording media; and a media management unit which,responsive to an operation of the control unit, at least reads anunerased data in the substantial data recording section andsubstantially erases the unerased data read from the substantial datarecording section; wherein the substantial data recording section of theremovable recording medium is configured so that it cannot beoverwritten without initialization.
 16. The apparatus according to claim15, wherein the apparatus includes a unit for removably receivingrecording media.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein therecording media is a flash memory device.
 18. The apparatus according toclaim 16, wherein the recording media is a photomagnetic optical disk.19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the recording media isa magnetic disk.
 20. An electronic camera comprising: an image recordingmedia logically having an image data recording area and an image datamanagement area for managing a recording state of image data in saidimage data recording area wherein said media is compatible with anexternal device including an image data pseudo-erasing unit forexecuting a predetermined process upon said image data management areato erase image data in said image recording media, so that the imagedata recording area is pseudo-erased; an unerased image data detectionunit for detecting an unerased image data area in said image datarecording area of said image recording media; an image data erasing unitfor substantially erasing the unerased image data detected in said areaby said unerased area detection unit; a recording mode setting unit forsetting a recording mode for recording image data in said imagerecording media; and a control unit for controlling such that saidunerased area detection unit detects an unerased image data area inresponse to a recording mode setting operation by said recording modesetting unit, and said image data erasing unit starts a substantiallyerasing operation for in said detected unerased image data.
 21. A methodof recording digital image data on a removable and nonvolatile recordingmedium including both a data management section and a substantial datarecording section in which substantial data is stored, said methodcomprising the steps of: a) initiating a record sequence of a digitalimage data into the recording media based on information in the datamanagement section in response to a record operation; b) retrieving anunerased substantial data in the substantial data recording section; c)substantially erasing the unerased data retrieved in the substantialdata recording section; and d) recording a new image data into thesubstantial recording section; wherein the substantial data recordingsection of the removable recording medium is configured so that itcannot be overwritten without initialization.
 22. The method accordingto claim 21, wherein the recording media is removable and furthercomprising: removably inserting the recording media for recording imagedata thereon.
 23. The method according to claim 21, wherein therecording media is removable flash memory device and further comprising:removably inserting the recording media for recording image datathereon.
 24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the recordingmedia is a removable photomagnetic optical disk and further comprising:removably inserting the recording media for recording image datathereon.
 25. The method according to claim 21, wherein the recordingmedia is a removal magnetic disk and further comprising: removablyinserting the recording media for recording image data thereon.
 26. Themethod according to claim 21 further comprising: generating a recordingoperation completion display responsive to completion of step (c). 27.The method according to claim 21 further comprising: initiating step (d)responsive to operation of a recording trigger.